The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-12-15

huge twist in his pocket and slowly pat
it in his mouth-that same grim amuse-
ment in his keen, clear eyes.
Evidently the mountaineer regarded
this legacy to Dildy half in kindly pity.
half in jest.
The Colonel knew better than any
one else about that gen." | began wa
rily. THAT shiny bit of glass is worth
more than enough to buy ten such
tracts"
Naturally, the Council belief in the
| value of the pin having been so long a
matter of scorn, found it difficult to
convince Craddeck of the truth. His
skepticism was pervaded by very
| plain doubt of my sanity.
Hits turribul Gurus, stranger. en-
You hain't sick nuthcr," he averred,
with profound conviction.
Dildy's dark. soft eyes seemed to
catch the first convincing sparkle of the
diamond asI explained and pointed out
the difference between gem of first
quality and a "bit of glass"
Father, you go with the strange
gentleman to town; the stranger knows
a diamond" was Dildy's low spoken
but decisive assurance.
True 'nuf, Dildy; but. wife, hain't
thur some writin' of the Can els in that
ar grand overcoat NV his'n? Wife, put
hit away till somebody KEN fur 'en."
The overcoat was brought out and
unwrapped. In the side pocket found
a few lines, hastily written:
This coat is for Joseph Craddcck.
my diamond pin for his child Dildy. I
am glad to die nameless and unknown.
This was the strange pathetic will of
the luekless refugee remembered solely
as 1.-THE Cun'el." Not a trace of his
identity had been left behind him.
The mountaineer looked down ut the
bare track of brush land at the base OF
the ridge.
THAT'S mo n my hard old head kin
wuk out he solemnly asserted, "that
the Cun'el thought enough Nv me to
guv me sich a grand coat. Wife, roll
it up agin; I'd be 'shamed to put hit
on; my old butternut will do fur me. :"
In spite of remonstrance the overcoat
was returned to its resting-place, and
Craddeck in his "butternut' set out for
the city to verify my claims as to the
value of Dildy's legacy.
The stone proved to be a fine one. 1t
was easily disposed of for five thousand
dollars. The mountaineer fold, the
notes with unmoved deliberation, and
slowed them away in a huge, well-worn
pocket-book. my old wallet hain't
use to havin' sich power of money in
hit," he observed in some satisfaction.
'Tve got to git some books for Dildy,
seein' the money is hern."
us there nothing you want for your.
self?" Inquired when the books were
all selected.
.Dunno es there's any thing l want
reckon we'll git back to the mount.
ing, stranger, whur hit hain't SO lone
some"
Dildy's eyes Enlightened at the sigh
of the books. She touched them ten
derry and carefully, and read then
kungrily.
"I'll so down an buy that lam from
ole man Finch to-morrer," the noun
Z taineer said as he lit his pipe and sal
down to smoke in overwhelming salts
, faction.
"You have the money to buy good
{ land now." reminded him.
/ Stranger. gin the Cun'el of my
say SO to git that at track av lam fo
. Dildy. Dunno ez ever lied to nobody
l but leastways hahn. gwine to lie te
the Cum ell" was the decisive reply.
+ l left che Craddeck cabin the mex
morning. Perhaps no one will wonde
t that found my way back before man,
S months elapsed, or that Dildy, still
: sweet and lovely and trihe unsophis
\ ticated, is no longer in the cabin. w
/ have great, capacious mansion
3 where the mountain breezes bring u
5 fragrance of pines from Piney ridge
: Smoking chimneys and village Q
e houses at the base of the ridge sioy
that the '.Cua'e els' prediction ha:
4 been fulfilled.
n '.The Cun'el said hit wur wuth
1 fortin, en- l bought hit fur Dildy, es
= gin him my say 50 would" the moan
u tainecr relates. They've done don
Q foun' coal on hit en- spilled good cat
' tie range, but hit $ med Dildy pow'fu
q rich, on all wild nuthin' savin' buzzor
pin. IN r Mercury.